Standard loads found on L.C. Smith hang tags 1887-1930:

12 gauge     3 dram           1¼ oz shot
                      3 dram           1⅛ oz shot (after about 1920)

16 gauge     2 1/2 dram     1 oz shot
20 gauge     2 1/4 dram     7/8 oz shot

A1903 UMC salesman’s catalogue shows paper 12 gauge shells available in 2 5/8, 2 3/4, 2 7/8, 3, and 3 1/4 inch lengths. In addition, 12 gauge brass shells were also offered in a 2 1/2 inch length. The longer shells were usually for more and better wadding, not a heavier shot load.

Prior to WWI, the standard 2 9/16” 16 gauge load was 2 1/4 drams equivalent and 7/8 ounce of shot. The heaviest 16 gauge loads listed were 2 3/4 drams equivalent and 1 ounce of shot.

The famous Widgeon Duck Club 3 inch 20 gauge shells of the pre-WWI era were loaded with 2 1/2 drams equiv. and 7/8 ounces of shot, while the heaviest load in the 2 1/2 inch 20-gauge case was 2 1/4 drams equiv. and 7/8 ounce of shot.

A box of Winchester 12 gauge live bird loads with a rare over label that pictures famous shooter Fred Gilbert, distributed by Von Lengerke & Antoine Co., states that the shells contain SPECIAL WADDING GILBERT 3 inch, 3 1/4 DRAMS DUPONT, and 1 1/4 Ounces (1220 fps) Shot No. 7 T.C. Fred Gilbert (1865-1928) was one of the world’s best known Live Bird champions of his time, having won the 1895 World’s Pigeon Shooting Championship in Baltimore at age 30. Gilbert was under contract with DuPont during most of his career.

The Super-X 3 inch 12 gauge shell with 1 3/8 oz of shot and the 2 3/4 inch 3 3/4 dram equivalent 1 1/4 oz load (1330 fps) were both introduced in 1922. The 20 gauge 2 3/4 inch 1 oz Super-X also came out that year, and the 2 9/16 inch 16 gauge Super-X with 1 1/8 oz of shot was introduced in 1923. Winchester/Western brought out the 12 gauge 3 inch magnum with 1 5/8 oz of shot in 1935, the same year as the introduction of the Model 12 Heavy Duck gun.

By 1945, the Stoegers Shooters Bible listed Xpert and Xpert Super Skeet , Ranger Field , and Leader Staynless as being available in 2 5/8 inch 1 1/8 oz. loadings. By that time all Super-X, Super Speed, Leader Super Speed, and Ranger Brush loads were 2 3/4 inches with 1 1/4 oz of shot.

Bottom Line: The necessity of keeping the “Sweet Elsie” loads within the parameters of the intended loads cannot be stressed enough. These shotguns were not designed for heavy loads (such as 3 3/4 dram equivalent and 1 1/4 oz of shot), and the use of these loads is responsible for cracking many of the somewhat delicate headstocks.